Articles

Finally, summer is here and the B.B.Q is at the top of the list for meal preparations. The burger pattie is a favorite for any summer gathering. The fragrance and delicate flavor of the patties will be a hit at any barbeque.

Steam cooking ensures the optimum in natural freshness and flavor because steamed foods retain their shape, texture and fewer nutrients are lost in the cooking process. It’s a popular fat-free method for cooking vegetables. Steamed Vegetables are not only healthful and delicious they also add a dimension of balance and color to the meal.

Gazpacho is a cold Spanish tomato based raw vegetable soup, originating in the southern region of Andalucia. Gazpacho is widely consumed throughout Spain. The word gazpacho is believed to come from the word "caspa", meaning "residue" or "fragments", an allusion to the small pieces of bread and vegetables in the original gazpacho soup.

Who doesn’t love to eat a really tasty cookie? A cookie is a “treat” and just because it‘s a “treat” doesn’t mean that it should be unhealthy filled with white sugar and bad fats. Instead a “treat” should consist of nutritious foods that do not compromise our health.

This turkey meatloaf is a bit different from regular meatloaf recipes and certainly packs a punch of tropical flavors. The twist in this meatloaf recipe is using fragrant brown jasmine rice instead of the traditional rolled oats and coconut milk which adds moisture to the lean turkey meat.

Chili is a classic favorite amongst many people especially on the weekends. This recipe makes one mighty big pot filled with hearty and filling, spicy and warm chili that really hits the spot. Chili can be prepared a day in advance which I believe helps the flavor seep in.

There are a multitude of varieties of chili recipes that use various types of meats and beans. For example you can use ground or chopped buffalo or beef, ground or chopped chicken or even cashews instead of meat. Red kidney beans, garbanzo beans or black eyed beans are a welcoming change and delicious too!

Squashes are plants that belong to the genus Cucurbita and family Cucurbitaceae. Squashes are also categorized as winter squash and summer squash, based on the time of harvesting. Summer squash are harvested when the rind is tender and edible, for example: zucchini, crookneck and cousa.

Limas are legumes and members of the kidney bean family. They are predominantly available as two main types: large, “potato” limas and small, baby lima beans, which are half the size of the large variety. Another less common variety is the large, speckled Christmas lima. The colors of lima bean varieties range from off-white and pale green to red, purple, brown, and almost black.

The color red has long-been associated with strength, health and passion. These elements are necessary components for a well-rounded person. As passion radiates through the color of red, be sure to choose foods with a vivacious red hue as they will keep you healthy, strong and beautiful.